Page 196 - PJ MED OPS Handbook 8th Ed

17. Assign a PJ to monitor the Cat B and A patients.
18. Use aircrew and other evacuees/patients to help as needed to bag, etc. Train them to watch
monitors and identify triggers for which they will alert you.
19. Lean towards chest tubes when able for patients who have had a pneumothorax decom-
pressed. Otherwise be vigilant on watching the patient for increasing heart rate, decreasing
blood pressure, and O2 saturation.
20. ET Tubes and some supraglottic airway devices will expand and contract with significant
changes in altitude. Upon insertion fill the cuff with air to sense of balloon contact with tra-
cheal wall, do not overinflate. If flight proceeds >1000 feet above take-off altitude, re-check to
tactile feedback every 15 minutes and avoid over pressurization of the balloon.

CAUTION: Under no circumstances should the cuff be filled with saline, this has been proven
to exceed the pressure associated with tracheal mucosal blood flow occlusion.

194 n Pararescue Medical Operations Handbook / 8th Edition